Semi-solid animal feed blocks and method of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A semi-solid animal feed block is provided to an animal as a feed supplement or as a complete feed. The feed block is formed of a liquid binder containing denatured wheat flour protein and sugar, and a nutrient mixture of at least one animal feed component. The denatured protein and the sugar bind the nutrient mixture to form the semi-solid animal feed block as a single mass. The nutrients may be formulated to promote digestive tract development of a recently weaned livestock animal, such as a piglet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/622,658 filedSep. 19, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,936,719 on Apr. 10, 2018, theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to semi-solid animal feed blocks andmethods of making and using the semi-solid animal feed blocks. Moreparticularly, the disclosure relates to semi-solid animal feed blockswith a low moisture and high dry matter content that may be provided toanimals in a single, easy-to-handle mass.

BACKGROUND

Feeding the young animals prior to weaning or during weaning, such aspigs while with the sow, or after the animal is recently weaned, isgenerally through delivering meal feeds, pellets, crumbles, milkreplacers, wetted meals forming a paste, or gel feeds. In these priorapproaches, the feeds do not provide nutrients in a form that can be fedin a single mass that is consumed over a period of time making the feedsdifficult to handle. Also, some of these products are not readilyconsumed by the young pigs. For example, pellets may be difficult toconsume due to their hard texture by the young animals. Gel or pastefeeds may adhere to an animal's face and may add difficulties tocleaning pens where the animal is confined resulting in animal welfareissues. In addition, for wetted meal feeds or gel feeds sold toproducers, moisture accounts for a large percentage of the weight of thefeed, which makes purchasing such hydrated feeds unattractive due to theperception that the producer is paying for water. Further, where theproducer adds water to hydrate meal feeds or gel feeds, the amount ofliquid used may vary and may result in feed inconsistencies, which mayresult in the feed being unpalatable for animals. Feed waste is alsogreater with meal diets. While pigs may prefer high moisture diets (e.g.milk, gel) compared to dried diets during the pre-weaning and rightafter weaning periods, when not fed properly, the high moisture dietsmay cause difficulties in transitioning the animals to dry feed.Therefore, producers would benefit from additional animal feed productsthat ease the transition from sow's milk to dry feed, provide improvedhandling and reduce cost.

Further, with respect to young pigs, weaning presents many challenges tothe animal, such as an abrupt change from a liquid to a solid diet and anew social structure. Combined, these effects disrupt feed and waterintake (Dybkjaer et al., 2006; Varley and Stockill, 2001). Thesedisruptions are associated with a lag in growth performance and anincrease in morbidity and mortality in the nursery (Maxwell and Carter,2001). Complex diets containing plasma protein, milk products, and otherhigh quality ingredients have been used with some success to minimizethis post-weaning lag (Maxwell and Carter, 2001). The physical form ofthe diet during the immediate post-weaning period has a large impact onvoluntary feed intake.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, provided herein are methods of makingsemi-solid animal feed blocks having a relatively high dry mattercontent and a low moisture content that avoid the drawbacks of the priorapproaches to feeding animals. The feed blocks may be used to supplementthe feed or replace the feed of animals to promote consumption of solidfeed. For example, animals that may benefit from ingesting thesemi-solid animal feed blocks may include pre-weaning and recentlyweaned animals, animals in distress such as an animal with dehydrationor scours or animals that are near calving such as cows in calving pens.

According to one implementation, a method of making a semi-solid animalfeed block involves providing a liquid binder composition comprisingwater, wheat flour and sugar and heating the liquid binder compositionto a protein denaturing temperature. The liquid binder composition withthe denatured flour protein is combined with a nutrient mixturecontaining animal feed components and heated to form a plastic doughmixture. The plastic dough is molded into a block shape, and is cooledsuch that the denatured proteins and the sugar bind the nutrient mixtureto form the animal feed supplement as a semi-solid animal feed block.

In another implementation, a method of feeding of a recently weanedanimal involves obtaining a semi-solid animal feed block formed of abinder composition and a nutrient mixture. The binder composition isformed of denatured wheat flour protein and sugar, and the nutrientmixture comprising at least one animal feed component. The denaturedprotein and the sugar bind the nutrient mixture to form the semi-solidanimal feed block as a single mass with between about 14 and about 17weight percent moisture and weighing between about 2 and about 4 pounds.The semi-solid animal feed block is fed to the recently weaned animalfor up to 14 days.

In yet another implementation, a semi-solid animal feed block formed ofa liquid binder composition includes denatured wheat flour protein andsugar, and a nutrient mixture contains at least one animal feedcomponent. The denatured wheat flour protein and sugar bind the nutrientmixture to form the semi-solid animal feed block as a single mass. Thesemi-solid animal feed block includes between about 12 and about 17weight percent moisture and weighs between about 2 and about 4 pounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate semi-solid animal feed block productsaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a method of producing a semi-solid animal feed blockaccording to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Semi-solid animal feed blocks and methods of making and using thesemi-solid animal feed blocks are provided herein. The feed blocks maybe used to supplement the feed of an animal or may be used as a completefeed. As used herein, animals may include livestock and companionanimals. By livestock is meant agricultural or farm animals such asswine, piglets, horses, foals, cattle, calves, sheep, lambs, goats andkids raised in a farm, ranch or agricultural setting or animals kept inzoos or zoological settings. By companion animals is meant dogs, catsand rabbits raised in the home.

Semi-Solid Animal Feed Blocks:

Semi-solid animal feed blocks may be provided as individual masses offeed bound together to take the form of a block with a cylindrical shape(FIG. 1A), with a brick-like shape (FIG. 1B) or with another shapesuitable for delivering to the animal as a single mass. The blocks mayform a substantially solid feed mass and each block may weigh betweenabout 2 and about 4 pounds, between about 2 and about 3 pounds, andpreferably about 2.5 pounds. However, the blocks may be provided invarious configurations that make the individual blocks easy to handle.For example, the size and weight of the block may be dependent on thedesired consumption rate and the size of the animal. A block fed to asingle weaned calf may be 10 pounds, while a block fed to a pen of 5pigs may also be 10 pounds. In another example, the blocks may be sizedand shaped so that a producer may pick up a feed block with one hand. Inyet another example, the block may be sized and shaped to fit into ananimal feeder. A pie piece-shaped block may fit in corner feeders, whichmay reduce access to the block to only one side.

The composition of the blocks may include a mixture of nutrientsincluding carbohydrates, protein, fat and fiber and a wheat-basedbinder. The nutrients provided in the blocks may be formed as a mixtureof feed components including, but not limited to, one or more ofdehulled soybean meal; corn (e.g., fine ground corn); distillers grains;fat (e.g., grease); poultry meal; macronutrients (e.g., calciumcarbonate, mono-dicalcium phosphate); micronutrients; vitamins (e.g.,vitamin A, C, E); and trace minerals (e.g., zinc). In someimplementations, a mixture of corn, soybean meal and distillers grainsmay account for between about 40 and about 80 percent of the totalweight of the semi-solid animal feed block.

In some implementations, a nutrient profile to the semi-solid animalfeed blocks may contain dry matter from about 70 to about 90 percent,from about 75 to about 90 percent, or about 90 percent based on a totalweight of the feed block. Fat may be present from amount 5 to 10 percentor at about 7 percent of the total weight of the feed block. Crudeprotein may be present from about 15 to 25 percent, about 17 to about 21percent, or about 21 percent of the total weight of the feed block.

In further implementations, the nutrient mixture may be tailored to meetspecific dietary or growth-promoting needs of the animal receiving thefeed block. For example, the composition of the nutrient mixture may bea gut-developing formula for promoting development of a young animal'sdigestive system and may include a mixture of grains such as corn,soybean meal and distillers grains, animal proteins, nutraceuticals. Inthis example, the young animal may include a piglet or a calf. Inanother example, the composition may be tailored for a distressed animalin confinement. In this example, the nutrient composition may includeone or more of electrolytes and easily-digestible nutrients includingsimple proteins (e.g., base amino acids, soy protein, corn protein,cottonseed meal), simple carbohydrates, nutraceuticals, micro-minerals(e.g. zinc, Cu). Here, the animal in distress may be a sick animal or apregnant animal preparing to give birth. In yet another example, thenutrient composition may be tailored for feeding to animals duringtransportation, such as weaned and feeder (approx. 50-60 lbs) pigs,which may be transported long distances over the course of about 14 to20 hours.

The liquid binder composition provided in the block may include amixture of binding components including, but not limited to water, wheatflour and fructose. Although wheat flour is preferred for use in theliquid binder, other varieties of seed flour are within the scope of thepresent disclosure. Fructose may be in dry or liquid (e.g., syrup) formand may include, but is not limited to: corn syrup; high fructose cornsyrup; agave nectar; honey; molasses; maple syrup; and fruit juices.When provided in liquid form, the fructose may contain about 30 percentmoisture. In addition, other sugars such as glucose and sucrose may beused alone or in combination with the fructose. For example, highfructose corn syrup may be used in the binder composition and is acombination of glucose and fructose. In some implementations, wheatflour may account for about 3 to about 5 percent of the total weight ofthe semi-solid animal feed block and the sugar or sugars may account forabout 15 to about 22 weight percent of the total weight of thesemi-solid animal feed block, with about 30 weight percent of the sugaror sugars formed of moisture, which contributes from about 4.5 to about6.6 percent moisture to the total weight of the block. However, themoisture content in the sugar or sugars, and therefore the totalcontribution of moisture to the weight of the block, may vary and maycontribute up to about 10 weight percent of the block. It has beendiscovered that a binder composition of wheat flour and sugar provides acohesive, paste-like binder composition that facilitates binding the dryingredients within the finished block. Proteins from the wheat flouradvantageously facilitate binding and provide plasticity that addsflexibility to the binder composition. Once heated, the proteinsdenature in the binder and become more rigid upon cooling. Withincreasing heat, the proteins denature further and the finished productincreases in rigidity. Wheat flour used in combination with sugaradvantageously results in the chain structure of the sugar becomingrigid subsequent to heating.

Moisture may account for between about 12 and about 17 weight percent ofthe total weight of the block, and more preferably between about 12 andabout 14 weight percent. Accordingly, the semi-solid animal feed blockmay be a low moisture feed block, but generally contains a highermoisture content compared to dry, pelleted, crumbles or meal animalfeeds that typically contain about 10 to about 12 percent moisture.Accordingly, the semi-solid animal feed blocks may have a moist, chewyand flexible consistency.

Methods of making the semi-solid animal feed blocks: The semi-solidanimal feed blocks may be produced according to the method 200 of FIG.2. According to FIG. 2, the method 200 includes heating 210 a liquidbinder composition of wheat flour, water and sugar to a proteindenaturing temperature of at least about 240° F. At this temperature,the sugar is caused to bind in a semi-solid state. In someimplementations, the composition may be heated up to between about 245°F. and about 250° F. to denature a portion of the proteins in the flourand the carbohydrates in the sugar to provide a relatively soft feedblock. Relatively harder or firmer blocks may be formed by heating theliquid binder composition to elevated temperatures of about 250° F. toabout 300° F. In further implementations, the binder may be heated up toover 300° F. To raise the temperature above boiling temperatures, thebinder composition may be heated under pressure. The binder is typicallyheated to the desired temperature for at least 1 minute. Suitablecookers for heating the binder composition may include, but is notlimited to a Walker Processor-Kettle. Particularly, those in the artwill appreciate that other cooking systems, whether batch or continuous,that achieve the temperature and time requirements may be used.

In a separate vessel, a dry premix may be mixed 220 to form a homogenousmixture of nutritional components including at least one animal feedcomponent, described above, which may include substantially intactproteins and other added energy sources (e.g., carbohydrates and fats),vitamins and macro and trace minerals. In some implementations, thepremix may be mixed 220 concurrently as the liquid binder composition isheated 210.

The liquid binder mixture containing denatured proteins and heatedcarbohydrates and the dry premix is then blended 230 and worked so thatthe blended mixture has a consistency of a plastic, firm dough. Theheated binder composition may be added to the dry premix in the heatedstate in order to prevent setting of the binder composition beforemixing with the dry ingredients. Blending may be through the use of anin-line mixer and may include, but is not limited to, a ReadcoContinuous Processor with a twin screw or blending may take place in abatch system capable of uniformly blending the two premixes. Thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that other in-line mixers, such astwin shaft, co-rotating mixers adapted to continuously mix one or moredry compositions with the liquid binder composition may be used toproduce a homogeneous, blended product. However, it is within the scopeof the present disclosure use to blend the mixture in batches.

The blended mixture is then pressed 240 into a mold of a desired feedblock shape. The mold helps form and maintain the shape of the blendedmixture during cooling. In some implementations, the feed block shapemay be cylindrical (FIG. 1A) or brick-like (FIG. 1B), but many differentshapes and sizes are suitable for providing to the animal. By pressingthe mixture into the mold, the pressure exerted on the mixture helps toset the final shape of the product so it can be removed from the moldand still hold its shape while cooling.

The molded feed block may be cooled 250, such as through natural coolingat ambient temperatures, during which time the denatured protein in thebinder composition binds the composition of the dry premix to form asemi-solid animal feed block. The molded feed block product may be asemi-solid composition with some plasticity and flexibility. Thecomposition formed with a binder heated at elevated temperatures (e.g.,exceeding 250° F.) may result in a molded feed block product with asemi-solid composition with relatively more rigidity compared toproducts produced by heating the binder at relatively lowertemperatures. In addition, the denatured wheat flour protein incombination with sugar (e.g., high fructose corn syrup) results in thestructure of the sugar within the binder composition becoming rigid uponcooling, resulting in a hard texture.

The cooled, molded semi-solid animal feed block product may be packaged260 using conventional packaging systems.

Using the Semi-Solid Animal Feed Block:

The semi-solid animal feed block product may be fed as a feed supplementor a complete feed to livestock animals.

For example, the feed blocks may be provided to young animals, such aspiglets that are still with the sow or calves in pens. However, theproduct may be used generally to feed young animals that have beenrecently weaned. The feed blocks may include nutrients that may promotegut development. The semi-soft nature of the feed blocks mayadditionally facilitate ingestion of solid food for young animals withundeveloped mouth strength and may promote chewing.

In another implementation the semi-solid animal feed block product maybe fed to adult animals where added consumption is desired. For example,the animal may be a distressed animal and the nutrients may includeelectrolytes to fight dehydration and simple proteins and sugars forease of digestion. In addition, the increased moisture content of thefeed blocks compared to pelleted or meal feed may help to add moistureto the distressed animal's diet. The semi-soft nature of the feed blocksmay be appealing to the distressed animal, particularly for a pregnantanimal preparing to give birth. In another example, the semi-solidanimal feed block may be provided to the animal during transport. In yetanother example, harder feed blocks may be fed to swine in a grouphousing system. The product may be formed as a relatively harder feedblock when fed to adult animals, in the manner discussed above. In thisexample, with a lower daily intake, the product lasts several days andmay serve two purposes for the animals. First it is a way to feed theanimals that are less aggressive that may otherwise have limited accessto feed in the group pen. Second, it serves as a source of enrichmentfor the animals to occupy their time.

When the semi-solid animal feed block product is fed to animals, thesemi-solid consistency of the blocks may promote consumption of solidfeed. This may be due, in part, to the semi-solid blocks retaining theirtexture during consumption.

In addition, the blocks may remain in the animal's vicinity prior toconsumption for more time compared to wetted meal, which may begin tospoil shortly after being hydrated. This may result in the blocksgenerating less waste during feeding and may be less expensive for theproducer.

Swine Example

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding asemi-solid animal feed block nutritional supplement during days 21 to 36post-weaning on growth performance of nursery pigs. There are currentlyno block products on the market for young pigs, and the semi-solidblocks were studied for their potential as a delivery system of solidfeed for recently weaned pigs in the nursery. However, the system mayalso be used for feeding older animals as well.

Procedures: 237 weanling pigs (EBX Ultra x GPK 35) averaging 15.6 lb BWwere used in a 36-day growth trial to evaluate the effect of semi-solidblock supplementation on performance of nursery pigs. At weaning, pigswere sorted by weight and divided into sixteen weight groups (blocks).Pigs within each weight block were allotted into subgroups (pens) offour or five pigs per pen (16 pens/treatment). Dietary treatments wererandomly assigned to pens (subgroups) within each of the weight groups(blocks). Treatments included: 1) Control 1 fed a pellet diet, 2)Control 2 fed as Control 1 plus a soft supplement fed during day 0 to 7post-weaning, and 3) as Control 2 but with the semi-solid animal feedblock group fed during day 21 to 36 post-weaning as Control 2 plus thesemi-solid animal feed block. For treatments 2 and 3, soft supplementswere provided day 0 to 7 post-weaning as described in table 1 below. Intreatment 3, the semi-solid animal feed blocks were fed during day 21 to36 post-weaning.

TABLE 1 Treatment 1 2 3 Description Semi-Solid Animal Feed Control 1Control 2 Block Day 0-4 Pellet 1 Pellet 1 + Pellet 1 + Soft (October 7-Soft Supplement October 11) Supplement Day 4-7 Pellet 1 Pellet 1 +Pellet 1 + Soft (October 11- Soft supplement October 14) supplement Day7-21 Pellet 2 Pellet 2 Pellet 2 (October 14- October 28) Day 21-36Pellet 3 Pellet 3 Pellet 3 + (October 14- Semi-Solid October 28) AnimalFeed Block

The Ingredient composition of the semi-solid animal feed blocks includeda dry matter content of about 90 percent, a fat content of about 7percent, and a crude protein content of about 21 percent, and wereformed according to method 200. Pelleted diets (Pellet 1-3) weremedicated with ASP 250 (0.5%). Feed, including the pellets, softsupplement and semi-solid animal feed blocks, and water were offered adlibitum. For treatments 2 and 3, the soft supplements were fed in largecreep feeders from day 0 to 7 post-weaning. For treatment 3, thesemi-solid animal feed blocks were attached to each pen floor intreatment 3 with a white snap down pole placed in a hole in the centerof the blocks; from day 21 to 36 post-weaning. For the first week of thetrial, the nursery was maintained at 85° F. and decreased 3° F. perweek. Pigs were offered Denagard (antibiotic) in the water for the firstweek. Pig body weight and feed intake were determined at day 0, 4, 7,21, 27 and 36 post weaning. Average daily gain (ADG), average daily feedintake (ADFI), and feed to gain (feed:gain) ratio were evaluated.

Results: Table 2 shows the effects of supplementing soft supplement andsemi-solid animal feed blocks on growth performance of young pigs^(a).

TABLE 2 Treatment 1 2 3 Semi- Solid Animal Feed Control 1 Control 2Block SEM No. of Pigs 79 79 79 No. Rem & Mort 1 0 0 Day 0 to 7 ADG, lb0.35^(c) 0.32^(c) 0.37^(cd) 0.02 ADFI^(b), lb 0.42^(c) 0.80^(ed)0.80^(ed) 0.02 Soft block as is 0 0.60 0.60 Pellet 0.42 0.31 0.31 Day 7to 21 ADG, lb 1.17 1.21 1.17 0.03 ADFI, lb 1.31 1.33 1.30 0.03 Feed:gain 1.12 1.11 1.11 0.01 Day 21 to 36 ADG, lb 1.80 1.82 1.80 0.03ADFI^(b), lb 2.51^(c) 2.50^(c) 2.75^(d) 0.06 Blk intake as is, lb 0 00.70 Feed: gain 1.39^(c) 1.37^(c) 1.53^(d) 0.03 Day 0 to 36 ADG, lb 1.271.29 1.28 0.02 ADFI^(b), lb 1.64^(c) 1.74^(d) 1.83^(e) 0.03 Feed: gain1.28^(c) 1.34^(d) 1.43^(e) 0.02 Pig Weight, lb Initial 15.6 15.6 15.60.01 Day 7 18.0^(c) 17.9^(c) 18.2^(cd) 0.15 Day 21 34.5 34.7 34.6 0.46Day 36 61.5 62.1 61.5 0.68 ^(a)Values are means of 16 pens of 4 or 5pigs each ^(b)Pelleted feed plus soft supplement (corrected to 90% DM),or pelleted feed plus semi-solid animal feed. The soft blocks andsemi-solid blocks (as is) were about 75% and 90% DM, respectively.^(cde)Means in the same row with different superscript differ (P < 0.05)

During days 7 to 21, when all pigs were fed a common diet, nosignificant (P>0.1) differences were observed in growth performanceamong treatment groups. During days 21 to 36, pigs receiving thesemi-solid animal feed blocks had greater (P<0.05) ADFI and feed:gainratio than those previously fed the control 1 or control 2 diets. Duringthe overall experimental period (days 0 to 36), ADFI and feed:gain weregreater (P<0.05) when pigs were fed treatment 2 (the soft supplement) ortreatment 3 (soft supplement plus the semi-solid animal feed blocks)compared to those fed treatment 1. Pigs receiving treatment 3, e.g., thesoft supplement during days 0 to 7 and the semi-solid animal feed blocksduring days 21 to 36, had greater ADFI and feed:gain than those fed intreatment 2, e.g. the soft supplement only.

Although pigs fed in treatments 2 and 3 had similar gains to those fedthe control diet in treatment 2, the soft supplements and the semi-solidanimal feed blocks had good palatability and may also offer somebehavioral benefits. The reduction in feed efficiency observed in pigsfed the supplements may have been associated with some unavoidable feedspillage from the creep feeders or detachment of the semi-solid animalfeed blocks from the poles.

While the present disclosure provides various ranges, it will beunderstood that values, such as numeric integer values, at or withinthese ranges, or various ranges within the disclosed ranges, or rangesbeginning or ending at a range value and beginning or ending at a valuewithin the disclosed ranges may be used in particular embodimentswithout departing from the invention.

Although the present disclosure provides references to preferredembodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes maybe made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of feeding a recently-weaned pigletbeginning at about 21 days post-weaning, comprising: providing asemi-solid animal feed block to the recently-weaned piglet for up to 14days beginning at about 21 days post-weaning, said semi-solid animalfeed block comprising a binder composition and a nutrient mixture, thebinder composition binding the nutrient mixture to form the semi-solidanimal feed block as a molded, single mass that holds its shape andincludes between about 12 and about 17 weight percent moisture, therecently-weaned piglet ingesting the semi-solid animal feed block adlibitum and, in response, exhibiting increased feed consumption.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the binder composition comprises denaturedprotein and at least one sugar.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein thebinder composition comprises denatured wheat flour.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the nutrient mixture comprises at least one of: atleast one protein, at least one carbohydrates, at least one fat, atleast one vitamins, at least one macro minerals, or at least one traceminerals.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the nutrient mixturecomprises nutrients to promote digestive tract development of thepiglet.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the nutrient mixture comprisesa mixture of at least one grain, at least one animal protein, and atleast one nutraceutical.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the nutrientmixture comprises one or more electrolytes and easily-digestiblenutrients, wherein the easily-digestible nutrient comprise at least oneamino acid.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the nutrient mixtureincludes between about 70 and about 90 percent dry matter based on atotal weight of the feed block.
 9. A method of feeding a recently-weanedpiglet beginning at about 21 days post-weaning, comprising: providing asemi-solid animal feed block to the recently-weaned piglet for up to 14days beginning at about 21 days post-weaning, said semi-solid animalfeed block comprising a binder composition and a nutrient mixture, thebinder composition binding the nutrient mixture to form the semi-solidanimal feed block as a molded, single mass that holds its shape, therecently-weaned piglet ingesting the semi-solid animal feed block adlibitum and, in response, exhibiting increased feed consumption.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the binder composition comprises at least onedenatured protein and at least one sugar.
 11. The method of claim 9,wherein the semi-solid animal feed block comprises greater than about 12weight percent moisture.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein thesemi-solid animal feed block comprises between about 12 and 14 weightpercent moisture.
 13. A method of feeding a recently-weaned pigletbeginning at about 21 days post-weaning, comprising: providing asemi-solid animal feed block to the recently-weaned piglet for up to 14days beginning at about 21 days post-weaning, said semi-solid animalfeed block comprising a binder composition and a nutrient mixture, thebinder composition binding the nutrient mixture to form the semi-solidanimal feed block as a molded, single mass that holds its shape, thebinder including seed flour or at least one sugar, the recently-weanedpiglet ingesting the semi-solid animal feed block ad libitum and, inresponse, exhibiting increased feed consumption.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the seed flour comprises wheat flour.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the nutrient mixture includes between about 70 andabout 90 percent dry matter based on a total weight of the feed block.16. The method of claim 13, wherein the nutrient mixture includesbetween about 5 to about 10 percent fat based on the total weight of thefeed block.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the nutrient mixturecomprises between about 15 and about 25 percent crude protein based onthe total weight of the feed block.
 18. The method of claim 13, whereinthe nutrient mixture comprises between about 40 to about 80 percent of amixture based on the total weight of the feed block, wherein the mixturecomprises a corn, soybean meal, and distillers grains.
 19. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the semi-solid animal feed block comprises at least 12weight percent moisture.